Protecting children, elderly absolutely vital: Support groups

THE recruitment of new police officers in the Central West who will be tasked with protecting children and the elderly has been welcomed by the region’s support groups.

Each police command across NSW will receive a child protection officer and elder abuse prevention officer, with the new positions to be fulfilled within four years.

Minister for Police and Dubbo MP Troy Grant announced the new positions earlier this week and said they would help protect some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

“[This will] ensure police have greater capability to keep a watchful eye on known offenders against children, and ensure our elderly are better protected from abuse,” he said.

Lifeline Central West chief executive officer Stephanie Robinson praised the government for its “proactive” approach to a significant issue in the region.

“It’s very sad that we need to have a police officer in these roles in addition to what we already have,” she said.

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We are delivering 1500 new Police in NSW over the next four years.

This is a record investment and the largest increase to the NSW Police Force in more than 30 years and will put more Police where they are needed most – on the frontline, keeping communities safe. @troygrantpic.twitter.com/JlERibAQUK